Freight shipping between the UK and Spain: Rates -Transit time – Duties & taxes

The port of Spain

Port of Bilbao

A significant marine entryway for trade and business is the Port of Bilbao, which is situated in northern Spain.

The port's exports have been gradually increasing. It carried around 36 million tons of cargo in 2021, including items made of steel, chemicals, equipment, and iron ore. The Port of Bilbao offers frequent shipping services that connect it to ports like Southampton and Liverpool when it comes to connectivity with ports in the UK. These shipping trade create commercial relations and make it easier to transit between Spain and the UK, increasing trade opportunities between the two nations.

Port of Barcelona

The Port of Barcelona, situated on the northeastern coast of Spain, is a thriving seaport and an important hub for international trade. It boasts modern facilities and infrastructure that enable efficient handling of various types of cargo. In terms of exports, the port has witnessed significant growth and handled approximately 2.7 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of goods in 2021.

Port of Valencia

The Port of Valencia, located on the eastern coast of Spain, is one of the busiest and largest ports in the Mediterranean. It serves as a crucial hub for international trade and connects Spain with various destinations worldwide. The port has a robust infrastructure that allows for efficient handling of cargo, including containerized goods. In terms of exports, the Port of Valencia handles a significant volume of containers, with approximately 5.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) exported in 2021. Regarding imports and its connection to ports in the UK, the Port of Valencia offers regular shipping services that connect it to ports such as Southampton and Liverpool.

Port of Algeciras

The Port of Algeciras, which is a sizable marine port and an essential connection for global trade, is situated in southern Spain. It is renowned for having cutting-edge facilities and infrastructure that make it possible to handle different sorts of cargo effectively. The port has seen significant expansion in terms of exports and handled about 4.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo in 2021.

LCL and FCL in comparison

Special sea transport between the UK and Spain.

Reefer container

A reefer container is a specialized container designed to transport temperature-sensitive cargo, such as perishable goods like fruits, vegetables, and meats. It has built-in refrigeration and insulation systems that can maintain a specific temperature range, usually between -25 °C to +25 °C, to keep the cargo fresh and prevent spoilage. Reefer containers are commonly used for the international shipping of food products and pharmaceuticals.

Roro/OOG

RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off) and OOG (Out of Gauge) containers are two different types of specialized containers used for oversized or irregularly-shaped cargo that cannot fit into a standard container. Roro containers have open sides or are completely open, allowing cargo to be rolled onto or off the container on wheels, such as cars, trucks, or heavy machinery. OOG containers are used for cargo that is too large or bulky for a standard container and usually requires special handling and securing methods, such as flat-racks or open-top containers.

Bulk

A bulk container is a specialized container used to transport bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ores, and liquids, that are not packaged or containerized. It is designed to load and unload the cargo through a top opening or a hatch on the side, rather than through the standard doors on the end of the container. Bulk containers are commonly used for shipping large quantities of raw materials and commodities.

How much does sea freight cost between the UK and Spain

To calculate the sea freight cost from UK to Spain, several factor to be considered including volume, weight, type of cargo, shipping line and transit time, …

Eventually, it is quite difficult to calculate exact cost for your shipment, but you can estimate for yourself:

Identify shipment’s UP (paying unit): compare your shipment's weight and volume, then pick the option with the greatest value. The PU will be 45, for instance, if your package weighs 45 tons and has a volume of 40 m3.

 Base freight: By multiplying the UP cost by the number of UPs needed for your shipment., you get the base freight. For instance, the basic freight will be $27,000 if the UP cost is $600 and the UP for your consignment is 45 tons.

Add the additional charges to the base freight to get the net freight. Additional charges may include BAF (bunker adjustment factor), CSP (currency surcharge percentage), and any rebates. You can calculate the net freight with the following formula: Base freight + BAF + CSP - Rebate.

Tariff surcharges

Consider tariff surcharges when importing good to Spain:

• Customs Duty: a tax depending on the value of the imported goods.
• Anti-Dumping Duty: a tax imposed on imported products that are offered for less than the going rate in the domestic market.
• Countervailing duty: is imposed on imported products that are given government subsidies in the exporting nation.
• Excise Duty: is a tax that is charged on some products, including alcohol, cigarettes, and gasoline.
• Value Added Tax (VAT): a tax levied on the price of imported products.
• Tariff rate quotas (TRQs): quotas that place a cap on how many of a certain class of products can be imported at a reduced tariff rate.

What are the customs duties and taxes?

The amount of customs duties and taxes varies depending on the type of goods being imported and their country of origin. In UK and Spain, some of the most significant taxes and charges are:

• Import Duty: Import duty is a tax that is levied on certain imported goods, such as textiles, food, and electronics. The rate of import duty depends on the type of goods being imported and their country of origin.

• Value Added Tax (VAT): VAT is a consumption tax that applies to most goods and services. For imported goods, VAT is generally payable at the point of importation. The VAT rate in the UK is currently set at 20% for most goods and services. While in Spain, the set are 21%. However, there are reduced rates of 10% and 4% for certain goods and services called “super-reduced” rate.

• Excise Duty: Excise duty is a tax that is levied on certain goods, such as alcohol and tobacco products. The rate of excise duty depends on the type of goods being imported and their country of origin.

• Special Taxes: Spain and UK also levie special taxes on certain goods and activities, such as environmental taxes, energy taxes, and taxes on specific industries or products.

But there are some distinctive taxes that exclusive in UK:

In United Kingdom, there is tax called Anti-Dumping Duty and Countervailing Duty. The UK has the authority to apply countervailing duty and anti-dumping duty in specific circumstances. These taxes are put in place as retaliation for unfair trade practices or subsidies given by exporting nations.

How to calculate customs duties and taxes?

To find out what taxes and customs duties apply to your goods, you will need to determine the HS code. The Harmonized System (HS) is a standardized system used to classify goods for customs purposes.

Here is how an HS code is composed:

How to find the HS code?

To find the HS code of your products, the easiest way is to go to the official website of UK Customs and apply the following procedure.

Step 1: Click on "Start now".

Step 2: Enter the name of your product.

Step 3: Look at the results and select the right one.

Step 4: You now can see the right HS code of your product.

Calculate customs duties with the HS Code

Also on the previous page where you found your HS Code, click on the HS code of your product. Then select the country of origin of the products.

Now you can see what taxes and customs duties apply to your product from Spain.

For our example, we can see that for pineapple from Spain, the import duties are 4% and the VAT is 20%.

Does DocShipper charge duty?

No, no commission is taken from DocShipper. As a matter of fact, we will provide you with all the official documents provided by UK Customs. We will only collect customs clearance fees, as we declare your goods to customs on your behalf.

Any fees associated with customs duties and taxes will be collected by the UK government.

Procedures and customs contact

UK Customs

Official name: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs

Official website: UK Customs

Spanish Customs

Official name: Agencia Tributaria 

Official website: Spanish Customs

Required documents

When importing goods into the UK, you must ensure that you have the necessary documentation to comply with customs regulations. While specific requirements may vary depending on the type of goods and their origin, the following list provides a general overview of the documents you may need:

• Commercial Invoice: This document provides information on the goods being imported, including the seller and buyer, a description of the goods, their value, and the terms of the sale. It serves as the primary document used by customs authorities to assess duties and taxes.
• Packing List: This provides details on the goods being shipped, such as the types of items, quantities, and packaging. It may also include information on the dimensions and weight of the packages.
• Bill of Lading (for sea freight) or Air Waybill (for air freight): These documents serve as proof of shipment and provide details on the carrier, consignee, and the shipment itself.
• Certificate of Origin: This document certifies the country where the goods were produced or manufactured. It may be required to determine the applicable import duties or to comply with specific trade agreements.
• Import License or Permit: Depending on the type of goods being imported, you may need a license or permit from the relevant UK government department or agency.
• Health Certificates, Inspection Certificates, or Other Regulatory Documents: Depending on the nature of the goods being imported, you may need additional certificates, such as phytosanitary certificates for plants, veterinary certificates for animal products, or other regulatory documents.
• Import Declaration: You'll need to submit an import declaration, also known as a Customs Declaration, to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) using the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system or the newer Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
• Single Administrative Document (SAD): The Single Administrative Document for EU countries, also known as Form C88 in the UK, is the main customs form used in international trade to or from the European Union Customs Union. The description, amount, value, origin, and customs process codes of the imported or exported products are among the most important details included in this document. The SAD is delivered to the customs officials in order to abide by customs laws and expedite the passage of goods across borders. It offers information required for determining customs duties, levies, and adherence to different customs procedures.

Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and additional documentation may be required based on the specifics of your import. Always consult with a customs broker or freight forwarder like DocShipper to ensure you have all the necessary documents for your shipment.

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